correspondent and also the author of "lawrence in arabia" war, deceit, imperial folly. it's a fantastic read and a b t bestseller as well. . the e. lawrence, maybe the best-known figure of that time. americans know him from the epic film "lawrence of arabia." how big a role did he play in the agreements creating the map of the modern middle east? >> he was hugely influential. he played a private equitital role during world war one in the middle east. he was the chief british liaison officer to the arab rebels who allied with the british. he got put off to the side at the paris peace conference afterwards, however. >> the 20th century, most middle east countries we're familiar with were part of the ottoman impeer.